On August 6, the Rooftop at Pier 17 became the scene of a one-of-a-kind premiere as fans braved nonstop rain to witness the debut of STANS, Eminem’s new documentary about the superfans who’ve stood by him throughout his career. The sold-out crowd didn’t flinch—standing in the rain from start to finish, fully locked in for what felt more like a celebration than a screening.
DJ Whoo Kid kicked things off with a high-energy Eminem mix that had the crowd rapping every lyric like it was a live show. As the unmistakable intro to “Stan” played, the excitement peaked. Dstroy stepped out to introduce the man himself—and then Eminem walked onstage.
The crowd erupted.
“Let me tell you why this shit is crazy to me,” Em began, stopping every few seconds as fans shouted “I love you!” from the rain-soaked audience. “When I was writing the song ‘Stan,’ I didn’t understand the impact my music was having on people. And it’s still surreal to this day.”
He paused, smiled, and added, “This film is a thank you to all of you—for sticking by me through all my shit. The good, the bad, the mediocre. This is my way of saying thank you.”
Directed by Steven Leckart and co-produced by Eminem, Paul Rosenberg, Antoine Fuqua, and more, STANS goes beyond the typical music doc. Instead of retelling Em’s career, the film shifts the spotlight to his fans—those whose lives were deeply impacted by his words. Through interviews, reenactments, and rare behind-the-scenes footage, it explores themes like trauma, identity, belonging, and the complicated price of fame.
Eminem also reflects on his own past—moments like being mobbed in a mall with his daughter, and the wake-up call of missing her guitar recital during his 2007 overdose—recounted with a rawness that matches the fans’ stories.
After premiering at the SXSW London Screen Festival in June, STANS is now in limited U.S. theaters from August 7 to 10, with a streaming release set for Paramount+.
When the film ended, the soaked but energized crowd stuck around for a special live Q&A panel featuring Paul Rosenberg, actor Devon Sawa (who famously played “Stan” in the original 2000 video), director Steven Leckart, and two of the superfans featured in the film. The conversation revealed just how involved Eminem was—and how committed he was to making this project about the fans, not himself.
With appearances from Ed Sheeran, Dr. Dre, Adam Sandler, LL Cool J, and more, STANS paints an emotional and honest portrait of how music creates connection, and how one artist’s raw storytelling gave millions of people something to hold on to.
Soaked to the bone but unfazed, the fans who filled Pier 17 made one thing clear—rain or shine, they’re still here. And STANS is Eminem’s way of saying he sees them.
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